Process Overview

Float executives are mobile learning strategy specialists. We help companies meet their business strategies by making useful information accessible, anytime, anywhere.

Float’s S3D™ process is thorough, predictable, efficient and focused on delivering a high-quality deliverable time after time. It is through our time-tested and project-proven process that Float creates a strategy that supports the clients’ business goals. Our process, coupled with our experience and expertise, provides the strong foundation upon which subsequent efforts can be launched.

Float focuses on helping companies and organizations develop critical mobile learning strategies that support their business objectives and assist in meeting their goals. As part of our service offerings, Float also builds mobile applications that put the defined strategy into action. We have followed our proprietary process, S3D, on each of our client projects. S3D stands for Strategy, Design, Develop and Deliver.

Please feel free to contact us to find out more about how the S3D process, in combination with Float’s strong experience and deep expertise, may be a good fit for your organization’s needs.

Take a few moments to view the phases of the S3D process in detail.

Strategy Phase

The initial phase of the S3D proprietary process is the Strategy Phase. This phase provides the basis for future actions that an organization will take to implement successful mobile learning. There are three key critical segments in the Strategy Phase.

Plan

The focus is on developing a comprehensive blueprint for the project, establishing roles and responsibilities and making sure that the stakeholder’s goals and expectations are defined and measurable.

Diagnose

The emphasis is on understanding and documenting the organization’s key business objectives, the competitive landscape and how mobile learning can further advance the organization’s overall business strategy.

Prescribe

The effort in this segment of the Strategy Phase is identifying key actions and steps that support the strategy, architecting the recommended high-level plan and documenting the business rationale for the identified mobile learning opportunities. This results in a roadmap with key steps to be undertaken as the mobile learning strategy is put into action.

As the strategy is documented and refined, the key processes, competencies and technologies that support the implementation of the strategy will be detailed as appropriate. When there is a applicable need to create a prototype or proof of concept, it is initiated. As key mobile applications are identified, Float uses the 3D part of the S3D process to Design, Develop and Deliver those applications.

Then we begin the Design phase.

Design Phase

The Design Phase is focused on drafting, refining and approving the identified mobile application or website, be it for prototype or proof of concept design or for a final production-ready deployment. This phase includes crafting the look and feel of the mobile application, designing the functionality, the user interface, the user experience, and the interactive and content design.

Concept

In this step, the Strategy Phase is advanced to a visual and functional design concept, allowing a wider group of stakeholders to review and give feedback to confirm the idea.

Refine

Float team members create and revise the graphic design and user experience to work toward what the final deliverable will be. The design and experience is then tested among stakeholders.

Recommend

Float team members and stakeholders alike work to finalize the design approach before reaching a consensus about the look and feel of the application as well as user interface and user experience details.

During this phase, attention is focused on application functionality and how the user will need to interact in order to achieve the intended outcomes. The client will be closely involved in order to ensure that all of the design components come together in an integrated manner that supports the strategies and objectives that were identified in the Strategy Phase.

Once the designs have been set, we enter the Develop phase.

Develop Phase

During the Develop Phase, all of the elements of the mobile solution are built. Strict adherence to the design specifications is critical during the Develop Phase as the instructional, functional and technical specifications documented in the previous Design Phase are programmed and tested.

Alpha Development

After moving through the Strategy and Design Phases, the alpha is the first usable build of the application. Here, we port content and integrate it into the app to verify the design approach works. There may be a feature or two missing, or perhaps a bit of content is still yet to come, but this build will give the client and testers a good idea of where things are heading.

Beta Development

The alpha build is revised and polished, and Web and external services are integrated as needed. This phase is also where performance testing and functional testing with a larger group is done.

Release Candidate Development

After testing, the release candidate is the deliverable that reaches stability and finality with the codebase in preparation for the final deployment. At this point, we optimize the solution to ensure performance and user expectations are met.

Prior to launch of the mobile application, it is critical that the testing is comprehensive and complete. Any of the client’s departments that are key stakeholders in the outcome should be a part of the effort from the earliest phase in order to provide the best possible foundation for a successful launch.

Finally, the mobile learning solution is ready to Deliver.

Deliver Phase

The Deliver Phase is where the mobile application is delivered and launched following the successful Strategy, Design and Development Phases. The results for the mobile application are measured against the previously documented objectives. The app is iterated as necessary with feature and functionality adjustments to ensure it is tuned to the original goals. Documentation is produced that allows the client to provide appropriate internal support. Ongoing content maintenance and governance policies are crafted at this time to ensure continued success of the solution.

It is also during this phase where we discuss any future mobile learning strategy or applications with a company’s stakeholders.

Now, see our results in our mobile learning case studies.